Shawn Hunter was with TAP (Total Action for Progress) for less than two years, but in that span of time a man (who had spent some time behind bars himself) helped find jobs for hundreds of other ex-offenders. He was also a vocal proponent of the move to “ban the box” from Roanoke City employment applications – removing a question about past criminal history so it does not compel job seekers to hide the truth.
The move allows applicants to at least get their foot in the door – further background checks could turn up past criminal history but the theory is at least the ex-offender had to chance to make their case. “I was the advocate that made it happen,” declares Hunter, who spoke to Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring several months ago at banning the box at the state level.
Roanoke City banned the box last fall and the Commonwealth of Virginia recently did the same via an executive order signed by Governor Terry McAuliffe. Hunter takes some credit personally for making it happen at the city level and in fact he was visited by Senator Mark Warner after City Council made the change – a visit he says may have rankled some of the top brass at TAP when they were not notified of the U.S. Senator’s visit. (Hunter’s employment was terminated by TAP several months ago and he has filed a wrongful termination suit, something he cannot expand on.)
Now Hunter is affiliated with a company called Nu Focus Media and he continues on as The Advocate, looking not only to find jobs for ex-offenders but for others, focusing on African-Africans, other minorities and low-income Roanoke residents in general who may also need job training. It’s focused on Roanoke’s northwest quadrant, which has the highest percentage of lower income, minority residents in the city.
“I listen to the people…those that are suffering the most,” said Hunter, who strives to be the eyes and ears of his community. “I do help them find jobs…and affordable housing.” That’s another goal for Hunter and NuFocus – they want to rehabilitate unused houses and turn them into homes for those with no place to go. “We feel that uptown has been somewhat neglected,” said Hunter, alluding to the city’s focus on redeveloping its downtown core first.
He says in northwest Roanoke City you often have to go to the people – they may not come to you even if they need help. So he is out in the streets, stopping people in the middle of the day to ask why they aren’t at work. Hunter wants the city to “see what I am doing” before he talks to city leaders about getting involved with his efforts to find jobs and housing for those without.
“You have to be sincere, you have to be passionate. The people are looking for someone who will go out there and help them.” Hunter claims he connected over 400 ex-felons along with jobs when with TAP. “That’s unheard of,” he said.
Hunter is also involved with a community event taking place next month on July 24th – a job fair from 11am to 8pm on 11th Street NW between Melrose and Moorman, featuring recruiters, vocational training signups, food and entertainment.
“If you want to work we are going to put you to work,” said Hunter. He is also talking to the Roanoke City police department about getting involved with the event in a positive fashion.
Call 676-3193 for more details about “Putting Roanoke Back to Work.”
By Gene Marrano
